By Darien Carroll
The first snowfall is the last thing on most BYU students'' minds at the beginning of this semester, but for students like Zach James and Clark Cannon, anticipation for this ski season has begun.
Both of these entrepreneurs are working for popular ski resorts as ticket sales representatives. Each of the resorts they represent - The Canyons, Park City Mountain Resort and Sundance - offer discounted season passes for full-time college students.
James, one of nine Canyons representatives on campus, encouraged prospective students to buy the $370 pass because of the diverse terrain. The Canyons is acclaimed as the largest resort in Utah, with the most ski able acreage.
'Every year I say I''m going to give up, but then I go one time and its over,' James said. 'You''re with your buddies in the snow, appreciating the beauty. We have something here people fly miles and miles to do.'
Cannon, co-president of the Snowriders Club, sells tickets for both Sundance and Park City Mountain Resort. He said the $150 midweek pass to Sundance is great for anyone with money or time restraints.
'I had a pass there when I was a freshman, and the best thing about it was that if I got out of class I could cruise right up there,' Cannon said. 'If you don''t have a car, you can ride on the UTA bus and you are there in 15 or 20 minutes.'
Sundance subsidizes the bus passes to make the trip more convenient for students.
Czar Johnson, manager of ticket sales at Sundance, said the midweek season pass, which can only be used Monday through Friday, is great for students who have flexibility in their schedules.
'Sundance is great, especially on powder days,' Johnson said. 'You can get up here quickly and take advantage of the new snow before anyone else.'
Park City Mountain Resort is offering a new arrangement for college students this year. Their representatives are giving out $100 discount cards, which can be used when purchasing the pass at the resort before Oct. 31. This brings the season pass price down to $350.
'I like Park City''s terrain and I know it very well,' Cannon said.
Cannon also worked as an instructor at the resort for the past four years. 'They have great free riding and they have the best park in Utah, hands down.'
Transworld Snowboarding magazine voted Park City Mountain Resort the No. 1 terrain park and No. 4 best half pipe of the year in the upcoming November issue.
'One thing people don''t know about Park City is that we do have some great back country, not just awesome parks,' said Jim Mangan, action sports marketing manager at Park City Mountain Resort.
Although James and Cannon have their own favorite place to ride, they tell students looking into season passes to find a place that is convenient and where they will have the most fun.
'The reason why I go to The Canyons is, for me, getting rides there is so easy because there are so many people that go,' James said. 'There is always a carpool that goes up at least four days a week.'
Cannon said students should buy a pass with a group of friends.
'If you know one or two people who are going to go ride The Canyons, then that is the best place for you,' Cannon said. 'Maybe all your friends are riding Park City; you will probably have a lot more fun there. If you are going alone it is going to be a lot harder to have fun.'